Signs of Physical Abuse

Physical Indicators:

• Unexplained bruises and/or welts on the face, throat, upper arms, buttocks, thighs or lower back in unusual patterns or shapes which suggests the use of an instrument (belt buckle, electric cord) on a child in various stages of healing that are seen after absences, weekends, or vacations.
• Unexplained burns, cigarette burns, especially burns found on palms, soles of feet, abdomen, buttocks; immersion burns producing “stocking” or “glove” marks on hands and feet; “doughnut shaped” on buttocks or genital area.
• Rope burns.
• Infected burns indicating delay in treatment; burns in the shape of common household utensils or appliances.

Behavioral Indicators: 

• Behavioral extremes (withdrawal, aggression, regression, depression to over-involvement with strangers).
• Inappropriate or excessive fear of parent or caretaker.
• Antisocial behavior such as substance abuse, truancy, running away, fear of going home.
• Unbelievable or inconsistent explanation for injuries.
• Lies unusually still while surveying surroundings (for infants).
• Unusual shyness, wariness of physical contact.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Physical Indicators:

• Torn, stained or bloody underclothes.
• Frequent, unexplained sore throats, yeast or urinary infections.
• Somatic complaints, including pain and irritation of the genitals.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Bruises or bleeding from external genitalia, vagina or anal region.
• Pregnancy.

Behavioral Indicators: 

• The victim’s disclosure of sexual abuse.
• Regressive behaviors (thumb-sucking, bedwetting, fear of the dark).
• Promiscuity or seductive behaviors.
• Disturbed sleep patterns (recurrent nightmares).
• Unusual and age-inappropriate interest in sexual matters.
• Avoidance of undressing or wearing extra layers of clothes.
• Sudden decline in school performance, truancy.
• Difficulty in walking or sitting.

Signs of Emotional Abuse

Physical Indicators:

• Eating disorders, including obesity or anorexia.
• Speech disorders (stuttering, stammering).
• Developmental delays in the acquisition of speech or motor skills.
• Weight or height level substantially below norm.
• Flat or bald spots on head (infants).
• Nervous disorders (rashes, hives, facial tics, stomach aches).

Behavioral Indicators: 

• Habit disorders (biting, rocking, head-banging).
• Cruel behavior, seeming to get pleasure from hurting children, adults or animals; seeming to get pleasure from being mistreated.
• Age-inappropriate behaviors (bedwetting, wetting, soiling).
• Behavioral extremes, such as overly compliant-demanding; withdrawn-aggressive; listless-excitable.

Signs of Neglect

Physical Indicators:

• Poor hygiene, including lice, scabies, severe or untreated diaper rash, bedsores, body odor.
• Squinting.
• Unsuitable clothing; missing key articles of clothing (underwear, socks, shoes); overdressed or underdressed for climate conditions.
• Untreated injury or illness.
• Lack of immunizations.
• Indicators of prolonged exposure to elements (excessive sunburn, insect bites, colds).
• Height and weight significantly below age level.

Behavioral Indicators: 

• Unusual school attendance.
• Chronic absenteeism.
• Chronic hunger, tiredness, or lethargy.
• Begging for or collecting leftovers.
• Assuming adult responsibilities.
• Reporting no caretaker at home

Signs of Elder Abuse

Warning Signs of elder abuse. The existence of any one or more of these does not necessarily mean that abuse has occurred. Instead, treat them as signs that diligent attention or investigation is needed.

Physical Warning Signs

• Uncombed or matted hair
• Poor skin condition or hygiene
• Unkempt or dirty
• Patches of hair missing or bleeding scalp
• Any untreated medical condition
• Malnourished or dehydrated
• Foul smelling
• Torn or bloody clothing or undergarments
• Scratches, blisters, lacerations or pinch marks
• Unexplained bruises or welts
• Burns caused by scalding water, cigarettes or ropes
• Injuries that are incompatible with explanations
• Any injuries that reflect an outline of an object, for example, a belt, cord or hand

Behavior Warning Signs

• Withdrawn
• Confused or extremely forgetful
• Depressed
• Helpless or angry
• Hesitant to talk freely
• Frightened
• Secretive

Isolation warning signs: Isolation of an elder is an insidious tool used by many abusers. Accomplished with the systematic exclusion of all real outside contact, the elder victim is eventually driven to distrust friends, doctors and even close family members. Ultimately, the elder victim becomes a pawn – manipulated into trusting only the abuser.

• Family members or care­givers have isolated the elder, restricting the elder’s contact with others, including family, visitors, doctors, clergy or friends.
• Elder is not given the opportunity to speak freely or have contact with others without the caregiver being present.

Reporting Elder Abuse

• Financial Crimes, frauds and scams can be reported online. We have information in the identity theft/fraud link to provide information about reporting these types of crimes.
• Physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect can be life threatening, so should be reported to a police officer. Call our dispatcher at (559) 621-7000 to request assistance.
• Abuse or suspected abuse can also be reported to APS or the Ombudsmen

Adult Protective Services (APS)

APS provides assistance to the elderly and adults who are functionally impaired, and who are possible victims of abuse, exploitation or neglect, including self-neglect. Adult Protective Services agencies investigate reports of abuse that occur in private homes, acute care hospitals, clinics, adult day care facilities and social day care centers. APS provide a 24-hour, 7-day a week hotline to respond to all reports of suspected abuse. Fresno APS is (559) 600-3383.

Ombudsman Program

Ombudsmen are trained individuals who advocate for the protection and rights of all residents in long-term care facilities. These facilities include skilled nursing facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, community care facilities and intermediate care facilities. The primary responsibility of the Ombudsman program is to investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, individual residents.

Fresno and Madera Counties Ombudsman Program
3845 N. Clark Street, Suite 201
Fresno, CA 93726
(559) 224-9177
(559) 224-9106 FAX

Fresno County Public Guardian
(559) 600-1500

If you suspect Medi-Cal fraud, please call the toll-free hotline at (800) 722-0432. For more specific information about the State Programs, refer to the Attorney General’s web site.

Preventing Elder Abuse, Assault, and Theft – Senior Living

Steps to take if you become a victim of identity theft

1. Make a police report to your law enforcement agency where you live or to the City or County where the fraudulent activity occurred.

• Fresno PD takes the majority of ID theft reports online 

2. Help the police identify who is using your identity!
ID theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation. Due to the overabundance of crimes reported in Fresno, we do not have sufficient personnel to obtain evidence in every reported case. Video evidence is necessary to identify who is committing the crime. However, businesses only retain the video for a limited amount of time, usually 14-60 days. Therefore, we need help from the victims to help us obtain the video. Without your help, we may not review your case until the evidence has been destroyed. Click the title for information and forms which will help us get the evidence.

Video evidence is essential when it is available, but many suspects use the internet to commit the crime. Therefore, we need to get documentary evidence from the Financial Institution/Credit card company to give us leads to the suspect, Different companies require different documents, and some require their own specific forms. Click here for specific information and forms

3. We need supporting documents to prove the criminal activity occurred.  Send copies of statements, letters, credit report, social security statements, etc to the Fresno Police Department. Include your case number on the documents.  For online reports, please wait to send your documents until after you receive your Permanent Case Number by email.  If the number begins with the letter “T” the number is temporary and your documents will wait to be reviewed until we have time to research and locate the permanent number, this will slow down your case.

• If someone is using your social security number for employment, we need a copy of your social security card and a copy of your CDL/Photo ID
• Documents usually include accurate information along with the fraudulent information.  We cannot tell what is fraudulent or accurate, but you can.  Be sure to clearly asterisk * or mark the fraudulent activity.  Do not use highlighters as it does not copy.  Attaching an explanation is also helpful.
• If the offense is a check offense we need the front and back of the check
• If you have cancelled checks from the bank, and they have fingerprints on them, we need the original checks
• Be sure you keep a copy of the information you sent us
• Include your case number on the documents you send

Send documents to the

Fresno Police Department

Mail to the Fresno Police Department, Financial Crimes Unit, 2323 Mariposa Mall, Fresno, CA  93715

Fax to (559) 621-6332

Email to [email protected]

4. Complete the PC 530.8 release form to give Fresno PD the right to obtain evidence in your case without a search warrant. If there is more than one business involved, complete multiple forms. If unknown, leave the business name blank.  This requires you include the permanent case number which will be emailed to you.

5. Protect yourself from further victimization!

6.  Report your crime to the National Database.

• The Federal Trade Commission maintains a national database to track ID theft related crimes. More importantly, they research this database to look for crime patterns. Use this link to report your crime 
• If the Internet or computer was used to facilitate any crime, please report the crime to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. This database is operated by the FBI. They will also provide crime pattern information to local agencies. If the crime is part of a nationwide pattern, the FBI can choose to investigate the crime. Report your internet crime here 
• If you sent money to another country, the Fresno Police Department cannot investigate. The Federal Trade Commission has a relationship with some countries and they will share this information with them. Use this link to report international crimes 

Resources for identity theft victims

Preventing ID theft or catching the fraud early is the best approach. Many victims do not even realize they have been victims for over a year, making the crime harder to investigate. Victims must spend their own time to fix the damage to their credit and try to recoup losses. The national average is for an ID theft victim to spend 600 hours on their crime. It’s better to prevent the crime or catch the ID theft early. There are many methods that you can use to reduce your chances of being a victim and easy ways to catch the crime early. Click the title for ideas.

ID theft resources: The Federal Trade Commission provides up to date information about Identity theft. Click here to go to for several internet resources. Websites for victims

Get a copy of your report and keep copies of everything related to your crime:
How do I get a copy of my police report?

• An online report will be sent to you by email.
• If you did not make an online report, you must contact our records section.
• By telephone (559) 621-2534
• In person at FPD Headquarters. 2323 Mariposa, Fresno 10-2 Monday through Friday. Be aware, the lines are long and you could wait several hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q – I reported my crime to my financial institution or Credit Card Company. Do I still have to make a report?
A – Yes, the companies to do not tell the police about their fraud investigation unless we ask. The only way for us to ask is to read the police report.

Q – Do I have to send supporting documents in order for my crime to be investigated?
A – No, cases are assigned based upon a variety of factors, to include being involved in a crime pattern. The supporting documents provide more information, and allow us to request evidence from other sources. This evidence often links to a crime pattern, which enhances the chances of your case being investigated.

Q – I have investigative leads, such as a suspect name or address. Will my case be automatically assigned?
A – No, this information is taken into consideration. However, we know that ID theft suspects often use the name and address of another victim to perpetrate their crime.

Q – How do I find out the status of my case?
A – You can call the fraud line and leave a message (559) 621-6335 or email [email protected].

Q – I have not been called by a detective. Why?
A – You will not get a call by a detective unless the case is assigned and the detective needs additional information from you.

Q – I need to add additional information to my report. How do I add the information?
A – You can add a supplemental report to your case online. Be sure to click the supplemental button, and put in your report number. You may even add to a report that was not originally done online. Just check the box that says: “You are adding information to a previous report, which was reported to an officer.”

Q – Why wasn’t my case assigned?
A – The Financial Crimes Unit does not have sufficient staff to assign all cases. The supervisor reviews reports to determine if a case will be assigned. Factors that are considered are dollar loss, if the crime is involved in a crime pattern, if the suspect is a known fraud suspect, and investigation leads.

Q – What can I do to enhance my chances of my case being assigned?
A – Provide supporting documents and evidence.

Documentation

Identity thieves are opening credit accounts in victim’s name, plus adding themselves onto existing accounts. We need specific information to obtain evidence from the companies, so it is best to give us copies of your rejection letters, credit cards so we have all the information we need. If you don’t have letters from the companies, many times we have to provide your social security number so they can find the fraudulent account. Many financial institutions/credit card companies require that we send in an authorization, signed by the victim before they will give us any information. PC 530.8 release form.

Some companies require their own forms or specific documents in addition to the release form, or they will give us no information.

Comenity (Buckle, Victoria Secrets, Dress Barn, Pac Sun – etc) requires the signed PC 530.8 release form, a fraud affidavit and a copy of your CDL/Photo ID. The affidavit can be theirs, or any other affidavit. 

Target requires their specific release form , and a copy of your CDL/Photo ID.
Macy’s / Bloomingdale’s requires the signed PC 530.8 release form, their specific fraud affidavit  and a copy of your CDL/Photo ID.